Car-coupling.



L# OLCSVAHY.

CAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. 1914.

l 1 39,2 1 7 Patented May 11, 19l5.

l2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Egma

THE NoRRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. c

CAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2s, I9I4.

Ll 39,21 7 Patented May 11, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS Co.. PHOTO-1.17110., WASHINGTON. D. c. Y

coupling device, showing LOUIS OLCSVARY, OF LEMONT FURNACE, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAR-COUPLING.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Application filed May 28, 1914. Serial No. 841,527.

T0 all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, Louis OLosvAnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lemont Furnace, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for coupling cars and has for its primary object to provide an automatic coupling device that is of a simple construction, is reliable and efficient in operation and capable of being readily attached to various types of railway cars without necessitating any material change in the construction thereof.

Another object is to provide a coupling device of the character described that will readily yield under impact to prevent breaking or derangement and permit. free movenient of the parts when .the cars are rounding a curve, thus preventing breakage and unnecessary wear on the parts.

Another and more specific object is to provide novel means for releasingly supporting the coupling pin that will automatically drop into coperative relation with the coupling link, said means being strong and durable and of a simple construction and so arranged that access is readily had thereto for the purpose of inspection and repair.

Another object is to provide a coupling device of the character described that is simple as to construction, capable. of being readily assembled and disassembled and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

The above and additional objects are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more particularly pointed out as claimed.

With reference to the drawings, wherein I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention as it is reduced to practice, and throughout the several views of which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through my improved the same in coupled position. Fig. Q is a horizontal sectional view, showing particularly the means to permit yielding and free movement of the link. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view showing the coupling device in coupled poupstanding flanges 11.

sition, one of the coupling members being i same is arranged. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the means for releasingly sup porting the coupling pin. l

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference the numerals 1 and 2 designate as an entirety coacting coupling members that each consist of an enlarged head portion 2 and shanks 3, which Shanks are provided with hollow approximately rectangular extensions 4 that have their upper and lower walls provided with alined openings 5 by means of which suitable fastening means, not shown, may be employed to secure the coupling member to the ends of railway cars, not shown.

A longitudinal opening 6 is formed in the head and shank portion of the coupling member 1 and has pivotally mounted therein one end portion of the coupling link 7.

The pivot bolt 8 is inserted vertically and downwardly through the head Q of the coupling member 1 and through an opening yadjacent the inner end of the coupling link 7.

A CotterY pin or other suitable fastening element 9 is inserted transversely through the lower end of the coupling pin 8 to prevent derangement of the same.

rThe coupling link 7 extends for a distance equivalent to half its length approximately outwardly lfrom the forward face of the coupling member 1 and is enlarged and provided with a longitudinal slot 10 in its outer end.

Each coupling member is provided at its forward face with transverse upwardly and downwardly extending iianges 11 and 12, and a transverse flange 13 extending downwardly from the head at a point rearwardly of the lower flange 12.

Vebs or flanges 14 are formed integral at their ends with the ones 12 and 13 and a plurality of ribs or upstanding flanges 16 are formed on the upper faces of the head and connected at their outer ends with the These flanges and `an essentially integrally formed and ringlike handle portion 16 to permit lifting or moving of said coupling member as desired. The opening 6 in the coupling member 1 is flared or enlarged, as at 17, interkmediate the ends of the opening and the extreme outer end of the opening is enlarged, as at 18, to permit free lateral movement of the coupling link 7.

The inner pivoted end of the coupling link 7 is enlarged and the extreme end face at the pivoted end of the link is approximately V shaped, as at 19, and mounted within the enlarged portion 17 of the open- Slidably mounted within the inner end portion of the opening 6 is means designated 2O as an entirety to hold the coupling link in such position normally that it will readily coperate with its upper member 2. The means for holding the link in normal position and permitting it to turn freely when the train or cars to which the coupling members are attached round a curve, consists of slidable blocks 21 and 22 that are provided with slidably engaging arms 23 andv 24 which slidably engage each other. The arms 23 are preferably provided with longitudinal recesses on their inner faces to receive lugs 25 that are secured adjacent to produce the outer ends of the arms 24.

A roller 26 is rotatably journaled within the outer portion of the block 21 and is arranged to engage the V shaped face 19 of the coupling link 7.

Expansion helical springs 27 are arranged between the blocks 21 and 22 and secured at their ends to said blocks. The springs 27 serve vto hold the block 21 in extended position and in such manner that the roller 26 will bear against the central part of the V shaped face 19 of the link 7. It will be readily seen that as the roller 26 will be brought to bear with force by the tension of the springs 27, against the face 19, the link 7 will be held in a relatively straight position and approxin'iately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupling.

In rounding a curve the link 7 will be moved angularly in a lateral plane with relation to the roller 26, which is approximately in line with the longitudinal center of the coupling member and the springs 2 will permit yielding of the roller when it engages the inclined faces of the link. With the link 7 always extended in position in approximate parallel relation with the longitudinal axis of the coupling member, the coupling of the coupling members 1 and 2 in the proper manner is insured.

Nounted for vertical and slidable movement relative to the head 2 of the coupling member 2 and preferably centrally of the head is a coupling pin designated 28 as an entirety and provided at its upper end with a ring handle29 by means of which the pin may be lifted to uncouple the coupling members. The lower end of the coupling member 28 is beveled, as at 30, and said beveled end arranged to be engaged by the free end of the coupling link 7 so that the pin will be moved upwardly. When the pin 23 is in operative normal position and ready to be released the beveled end 30 projects sufficiently into a longitudinal opening 31 formed in the head and shank and similar to the opening 6, sufficiently to be engaged by the free end of the coupling link 7 to cause the pin to be lifted upwardly and .automatically released after a manner which will be later more fully described. Mounted within the vertical opening 32 that is formed in the head 2 of the coupling member 2, said opening communicating at its lower end with the longitudinal opening 31 at appoint rearwardly of the point where the pin 2S extends into the opening 31, is means for releasingly supporting the coupling pin designated 33 as an entirety, said means being automatically operated by the coupling link 7. The opening 32 is divided into two compartments by a transverse plate or wall 34:, which is spaced at its upper edge from the upper edge of the-opening and terminates at its lower edge at a point flush with the upper portion of the longitudinal opening 31. rEhe pin 28 is slidable between 'the outer face of the opening 32 and wall 34,

and is arranged to extend into the vertical opening 35 formed in the lower portion of the head 2 that alines with that portion of the opening 32 in which the pin 28 is slidably mounted. A removable closing plate 36 is mounted upon the upper face of the head 2 and secured by suitable fastening means 37 in such manner that the upper end of the opening 33 is `closed. The closurev plate 36 is provided with an opening adjacent to its forward end to slidably receive the pin 28. The coupling pin 28 is provided with shoulders 28 adjacent to its lower end and upon one side thereof, that are to engage the plate 36 and prevent lifting of the coupling pins completely out of the coupling member.

The means for releasingly supporting the pin 28 consists of a block 39 that is provided at its lower end with a beveled face 40 designed to be engaged by the free end of the coupling link 7 after said free end has moved the pin 28 upwardly. The block 39 is vertically slidable within the opening 32 between the wall 34 and rear face of the opening. Pivoted intermediate its ends, to the upper portion of the block 39 is a rectangular latch plate 41 that is provided on opposite sides with opposed guide lugs 42 for a purpose which will be later more fully described. The forward end of the plate 41 is reduced to provide a tongue 43 that is designed to engage within a recess 44 formed in the opposed side face of the pin 28, to support the pin in up position. The recess 44 provides a shoulder to coperate with the tongue 43, said shoulder being positioned at the upper end of the recess. The plate 41 is provided with a depending apertured iiange 45 that is extended within a groove or recess 46 formed in the upper end portion of the block 39 and is pivoted, as previously described within said groove or recess 46. rIhe upper end of the block 39 is designed to engage the under face of the plate 41 and support the saine in horizontal position and in such manner that the pin 28 will be supported in up position with its lower end 30 that is beveled, in such position as to be engaged by the free end of the link 7 when the coupling action takes place. The lower beveled face 40 of the block 39 is disposed within the longitudinal opening 31 in such position that it will be engaged by the free end of the link 7 and cause the block to be moved upwardly.

In order to move the block 39 upwardly and rearwardly so that the latch plate 41 is moved in such position that it will not engage in the recess 44 I provide rearwardly and upwardly inclined grooves 27 on the side walls of the opening 32 and which slidably receive the lugs 42 carried on the latch plate 41. The rear upper portion of the opening 32 is inclined rearwardly or beveled, as at 48, so as to permit the block 39 to be moved upwardly and rearwardly. The upper edge of the wall 34 engages the forward portion of the plate 41 and prevents the same being moved downwardly suhciently to release the pin 28.

In operation when the car to which the coupling member 1 is attached is moved toward the car to which the coupling member 2 is attached and the` link 7 finds the opening 31, the pin 28 will be forced upwardly by engagement of the link with the beveled end 30 thereof and move the recess 44 away from engagement with the tongue 43 upwardly therefrom, the lower wall of the recess 44 being inclined to eifect said removal. Further inward movement of the link 7 causes the beveled face 40 of the block 39 to be engaged and the block to be moved upwardly and rearwardly within the opening 32. Such movement of the block moves the plate 41 in such position that the pin 28 is free and will drop downwardly through the slot 10 in the link 7 and into the opening 35 at the lower part of the coupling member 2. To uncouple the device the pin 28 is lifted upwardly and the link 7 vwithdrawn and the pin will be reset and assume position, as shown clearly in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

In practice, I have found that the form of my invention, illustrated in the drawings and referred to in the above description, as the preferred embodiment, is the most elficient and practical; yet realizing that the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in detailsof construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, when required, without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention, as set forth.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

1. A car coupling device including coacting coupling members, a coupling link pivoted to one of the coupling members and having a slot in its outer end, the other of the coupling members having a longitudinal opening therein to receive the coupling link and a vertical opening communicating with the longitudinal opening, a coupling pin slidably mounted in the vertical opening, and means to releasingly support the coupling pin in up position so that it may be dropped through the slot in the coupling link comprising a block slidable in the vertical opening and extending into the longitudinal opening to be moved upwardly when engaged by the coupling link, a latch plate pivoted on said block, guide lugs on the sides of the latch plate, and the side walls of the recess of the vertical opening at the upper portion thereof being provided with upwardly and rearwardly inclined grooves to receive the guide lugs whereby the block is moved upwardly ina rearwardly inclined plane, said lock plate to coperate with the coupling pin to hold the pin in up position, and to be moved away from supporting relation to the pin when the link engages the block and pushes the same upwardly.

2. A car coupling device including coacting coupling members, a coupling link carried by one of the coupling members and having a slot in its outer end, the other of the coupling members having a longitudinal link receiving opening therein and a vertical opening communicating with the longitudinal opening, a block slidable within the longitudinal opening and having its lower face beveled and extended within the longitudinal opening to be engaged and moved upwardly by said link, a coupling pin vertically slidable in the last named coupling member and means carried by said block to engage and hold said pin in up position, normally and to release said pin when the block is moved upwardly.

3. A car coupling device including coacting coupling members, a coupling link oarried by one of the coupling members and having a slot in its outer end, the other of the coupling members having a longitudinal link receiving opening therein and a vertical opening communicating with the longitudinal opening, a block slidable within the longitudinal opening and having its lower face beveled and extended within the longi tudinal opening to be engaged and moved Copies of this patent may be obtained for upwardly by said link, a coupling pin vertically slidable in the last named coupling member, means carried by said block to engage and hold said pin in up position, normally and to release said pin when the block is moved upwardly, and means to guide said block in its upward movement whereby it is caused to move upwardly and rearwardly. In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' LOUIS ULGSVARY.

Witnesses:

VALENTINE VADNAY, PAUL GRITZEEN.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

